Apple Pay Reportedly a "Disappointment" for Many of its Users, According to a New Study

Apple Pay, the NFC technology that has been built into Apple's new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch and continues to grow in popularity with banks is not appearing to be as popular, with users and merchants alike, as it could be.

In a recent study done by a research firm known as Phoenix Marketing International where 3000 households were polled, it was found that only about 52% of users have actually used the service more than once since it was launched. Whats more is 59% have tried to use the service at least once in a store, while 47% came up with a sour experience where a merchant was supposedly an Apple Pay merchant, only to find that they were not.

The demand is there: 59% of Apple Pay users have gone into a store and asked to make a purchase with Apple Pay, but so is the disappointment: 47% visited a store that was listed as an Apple Pay merchant only to find out that the specific store they visited did not accept (or were not ready to accept) Apple Pay.

The report goes on to explain that not only the 47% were disappointed with Apple Pay, however. In fact, even two-thirds those that made a successful Apple Pay transaction report having problems using the service, either because it was too slow or technical difficulties were causing problems that couldn't be immediately addressed:

Two-out-of-three Apple Pay users have reported a problem at checkout, mostly related to terminals not working or taking too long to make the transaction, inaccurate posting of transactions and the inability of cashiers to help buyers who needed assistance in using Apple Pay.

Apple recently made a new Web site for small businesses to order decals for Apple Pay to advertise whether or not they take Apple Pay directly from the store's front window, and even at the register. Despite the decals, consumers are still having a lot of issues distinguishing between businesses that actually do accept the NFC-based payment service.

Apple Pay is a relatively new service and while it's understandable that adoption of new technology can be slow, especially for smaller businesses that would rather stay with the old and true ways of paying, it's unfortunate to see so many Apple device users having issues using the service even from merchants that supposedly accept Apple Pay. These are glitches that Apple is going to have to smooth out with the merchants as time goes by so that consumers can feel safer using their electronics to make purchases.

It's already a touchy feature as it is, as many people won't even trust their electronics with their money.

Adoption is KEY. If that is not resolved it will stay under with the submarines. NFC has been here for years..yet it seems no one wants to adopt and or use it to its fullest capacity. Guess in some ways, tech is stuck in its old ways. "Change gone come" ?? We shall see.

Adoption is KEY. If that is not resolved it will stay under with the submarines. NFC has been here for years..yet it seems no one wants to adopt and or use it to its fullest capacity. Guess in some ways, tech is stuck in its old ways. "Change gone come" ?? We shall see.

I think if anything, it's a security issue. Merchants are worried about scams, and people are worried about scams.

There are still people that won't even buy things online because they're afraid of scams, and people just don't seem to trust technology with their money.

The younger generation does, and will, because that's what they grew up with, but older folks are still used to cutting checks & shelling out cash.

My experience has been on the merchant side or even the cashier having the issues not knowing what buttons to push on their screen to do it as ApplePay. But also yes, some of these smaller banks and credit unions need to jump on board. I'm still waiting for my credit union to jump on also.

We've been slowly seeing the adoption of nfc in the UK. I have 3 nfc enabled bank cards that just require a tap on the machine to enact a transaction although you can only use it for purchases up to £20. It'll also randomly ask you to input your PIN on occasion, I guess as a fraud deterrent. It's fast and simple and works well. We'll see how apple pay works over here soon I guess

It will just be a slow adoption. The pinpads that are NFC-enabled cost at least twice as much and have about half the expected useful life. So essentially they cost about 4 times as much as the current mainstream pinpads.

That's a tough pill to swallow for merchant who already make razor thin margins and don't expect any incremental business as a result of this additional investment.

On top of that, a lot of merchants either have just recently, or already have commitments to buy chip-enabled pinpads. So they won't be looking to update again any time soon.

I've used Apple Pay so many times and haven't had any issues. I aways carry my credit/debit cards just to be on the safe side. I love the awestruck look on the cashier's face when I pull out my iPhone 6+.

The problems I had were the merchants never trained their employees about Apple pay. I went to 3 Staple's stores, none of the cashiers has any clue about Apple pay. At Macys, I have to teach the cashier how to use it. Just give it some time, it will catch up.

I've used Apple Pay so many times and haven't had any issues. I aways carry my credit/debit cards just to be on the safe side. I love the awestruck look on the cashier's face when I pull out my iPhone 6+.

I think they are awestruck because you were able to fit it in your pocket!

My wife and I recently changed banks, with NFC pay (not Apple) a big factor. I've got a Nexus 6 and she has a Note 4 and the tap and pay is so easy to use with the Commonwealth Bank app (Australia). I don't know how I ever managed without it! I can use it everywhere too.

I think they are awestruck because you were able to fit it in your pocket!

Most people ask how did I fit it in my pocket with a otterbox case on it when I wear tight uniform pants pretty much every day. With the otterbox case it is much bigger then with my other cases on it. I'm just waiting for Apple Pay to be accepted at more stores.

I just got a fraud alert in my CC. And sure enough there were fraudulent charges. Now I get a new CC with new number and get to receive complaints for weeks from online auto bill pay about how my payment didn't work.

Pretty sure this came from certain hotel in SoCal. I left a bad review about their housekeeping on Yelp and this is the *******' payback.